J-14 Exclusive: Singer Jackie Evancho Talks Music

At the young age of 10 Jackie Evancho had done things singers twice her age have only dreamed of. She became the best selling debut artist of 2010 and the youngest solo artist to ever go platinum. Two years later at age 12 (she'll be 13 this April), after her appearance on "America's Got Talent," Jackie lets us in on her new album, her passion for classical music, and what she loves most about singing.

J-14: You have such a unique voice for someone your age. What made you get into classical music?

Jackie Evancho: The movie "The Phantom of the Opera" was my inspiration. I loved the style of music that they sang and it was interesting and different to me. So I decided to try it out and I guess it was something that was supposed to be for me.
J-14: When did you first know that you wanted to be a singer?

Jackie: I knew when I turned eight years old and my mom asked me if I wanted to do a talent competition. I was first runner up to a 20-year-old opera singer. And so my mom and my dad the rest of my family who were there thought I had something special.
J-14: Tell us about your fourth album.

Jackie: You could say it's my fourth, technically it's my fifth because I also made a little album not professionally. It was really fun! I think it's doing great and I'm really excited and I hope that people love it because I love singing the songs and my favorite song on there is "The Music of the Night" from "The Phantom of the Opera."

J-14: Tell us about the first time you performed in front of a crowd.

Jackie: I was very nervous and since it was new to me I didn't know what to expect. But when I first sang and the nerves were there, it all went away once I hit the middle of the song. I let it all out and I wasn't expecting a cheer, but I got a cheer and I was very excited and happy. Now I see why it's so rewarding to me because the crowd is the thing that keeps you going, keeps you happy.

J-14: What's one thing you want our readers to know about you?

Jackie: I want them to know that I'm never forced to sing. Singing is something that I will always do because I love it and my parents always give me options. I really want them to know that I'm happy with my life and I don't want it to change.
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